Let's start again

A five year old's inept little fingers;
Difficult shoelaces, frustrated cries.
Knots gently untangled by Mum
who soothes,"Let's start again."

Laboured playing, discordant notes;
Despondent eight year old waiting for censure;
With eyebrows raised and a roll of the eye,
Teacher says patiently, "Let's start again"

Inexplicable figures, equations obscure:"
"I can't do this homework," a twelve year old wails.
Dad to the rescue, he spots the mistake.
"You've missed out a stage here. Let's start again."

A childhood punctuated by "Let's start again".
Now parenthood needing the same old refrain.

I hover as my three year old buttons her coat,
till an empty buttonhole tickles her throat
and the bottom button has nowhere to go.
"That's not right," she giggles.
"No." I agree cheerfully. "Let's start again".

Though sometimes said through gritted teeth,
weary sighs, exasperation,
that patient suggestion is rewarded at last
by a child's triumphant smile.

A time will come when I shall look back
and mourn all the years fast flown.
Then what wouldn't I give for a chance to return
to those happy family days.
If I only could then turn back the clock
and say, "Let's start again".